Friday evening, just before nine, a report comes in of a burning car at the foot of a large residential tower. Rioters and protesters have already had the upper hand in the city for two hours. ,,If the ‘signal safe’ is issued, then you go for it”, says commander Eric Linthuis (46), who works at the Baan barracks in the center of Rotterdam.
He and five other firefighters put on their helmets and step into the fire truck towards the Bulgersteyn, a side street of the Coolsingel. “We went there with a different feeling, especially after seeing the images on social media.” On the way, the holy words are spoken: “We are going to put out that fire and come back safely.”
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